Mandarin Duck
Scientific Name
Class
Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
Mandarin ducks are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females differ in appearance. Males are very colorful—they have a dark purple chest with black and white stripes, brown wings with a bue-green edge, and a long brown and white crown. Their coloration helps them attract less-colorful females, which have brownish-black plumage with white markings around their eyes and throat. Both males and females have thin, flat feet, which allows them to paddle through water.
Interesting Fact 1
Mandarin ducks have been referenced as a symbol of loyalty in ancient Chinese and Japanese philosophy.
Interesting Fact 2
Pairs often remain together for several breeding seasons and build nests in tree holes up to 30 feet above the ground.
Interesting Fact 3
Soon after hatching, ducklings leap from their high nesting holes in response to their mother's call.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
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Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
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Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
